Hotel Industry News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the hotel sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses and other property types.

The hotel sector is undergoing significant transformation, powered by new technologies, evolving guest expectations, and a renewed focus on direct booking and operational efficiency. PhocusWire delivers the latest hotel industry news, covering the strategies and innovations shaping the future of global hospitality.

Hotel chain developments, hospitality trends, and market shifts

Stay updated on how hotel brands are expanding, restructuring, and embracing digital platforms to elevate the guest experience. From contactless check-in and AI-powered pricing to loyalty evolution and branded residential offerings, our coverage tracks the industry’s response to changing demand and competitive pressure.

Smarter Insights, Stronger Partnerships: Maximizing Performance With Business Intelligence
Event / Technology
Smarter Insights, Stronger Partnerships: Maximizing Performance With Business Intelligence
September 17, 2026
Learn how commission data and business intelligence can help hotels and agencies benchmark performance, uncover insights and build stronger partnerships. Register Now
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Eurostar, Civitatis and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Eurostar, Civitatis and more...
By PhocusWire | August 21, 2026
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Hotel room service platform CAMO raises $4M
News / Technology
Hotel room service platform CAMO raises $4M
By Abby Crotty | August 20, 2026
CAMO oversees ordering technology, local kitchen fulfillment, delivery logistics and guest support. Read More
AI transformation in travel: Velit Dundar of Radisson
News / Technology
AI transformation in travel: Velit Dundar of Radisson
By Abby Crotty | August 20, 2026
Velit Dundar, Radisson's VP of global e-commerce, shares his thoughts on agentic AI, areas for innovation and more as part of PhocusWire's AI Transformation in Travel series. Read More
Why payment infrastructure will shape the future of travel commerce
From Our Partners / Technology
Why payment infrastructure will shape the future of travel commerce
By PhocusWire | August 20, 2026
Modernizing payment infrastructure is becoming a critical issue for travel companies as legacy systems, margin pressure, merchant of record models and agentic commerce reshape how travel is sold,... Read More
How AI is quietly rewriting hospitality job descriptions
News / Technology
How AI is quietly rewriting hospitality job descriptions
By Matthew Parsons | August 20, 2026
As AI moves from experimental to essential, hospitality operators need employees who understand both the technology and businesses these tools are meant to serve. Read More
CEO Spotlight: Harman Singh Narula of Canary Technologies
News / Online
CEO Spotlight: Harman Singh Narula of Canary Technologies
By Morgan Hines | August 19, 2026
Canary Technologies CEO Harman Singh Narula discusses the company's strengths and the future of travel in conversation with PhocusWire. Read More
Startup Stage: Fikäfi wants to make payments more efficient for hotels
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Fikäfi wants to make payments more efficient for hotels
By Abby Crotty | August 17, 2026
Singapore-based Fikäfi integrates with hotels' systems to simplify workflow and payment collection. Read More
AI tools are becoming a single point of failure for hotels: How to reduce the risk
Opinion / Technology
AI tools are becoming a single point of failure for hotels: How to reduce the risk
By Stephan Wiesener and Mike Rawson | August 17, 2026
Apaleo's Stephan Wiesener and citizenM's Mike Rawson argue that hotels need to treat AI resilience as an architectural consideration. Read More
Case studies on AI in travel highlight data, trust and bottleneck challenges
News / Technology
Case studies on AI in travel highlight data, trust and bottleneck challenges
By Linda Fox | August 14, 2026
Phocuswright Europe 2026 provided a platform for three companies—TravlrID, TrustYou and The Hotels Network—to share examples of AI in action and debate challenges. Read More
TUI Group credits AI-driven cost savings for Q3 results
News / Finance
TUI Group credits AI-driven cost savings for Q3 results
By Linda Fox | August 12, 2026
TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel described AI as a game changer for customer service and yield management, as well as for distribution going forward.  Read More
IHG working with Google agentic booking pilot, wider AI initiatives
News / Online
IHG working with Google agentic booking pilot, wider AI initiatives
By Linda Fox | August 11, 2026
IHG confirmed its participation in Google's agentic AI booking pilot during its H1 2026 earnings report. Read More
STRs enter a new phase of scrutiny and structural growth
News / Online
STRs enter a new phase of scrutiny and structural growth
By Phocuswright Research | August 11, 2026
Short-term rental gross bookings hit $219.9 billion in 2025, with growth split by region. Read More
What the EU AI Act means for the travel industry
News / Technology
What the EU AI Act means for the travel industry
By Mark Frary | August 11, 2026
The EU AI Act requires clear labeling of AI-generated content and transparency when customers are interacting with AI systems. Read More
Airbnb continues hotel push: 'Stepping on the gas'
News / Finance
Airbnb continues hotel push: 'Stepping on the gas'
By Abby Crotty | August 6, 2026
Airbnb’s hotel business performing is “significantly better than expected,” CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026